Industry Insights: Kendrick Brothers’ Flywheel Remake in Brazil

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The Kendrick Brothers, best known for films such as Fireproof, War Room, and The Forge, are remaking their first film, Flywheel (2003) - this time with an all-Brazilian cast and crew. With a recently announced release date of October 16, Flywheel: Ignition of the Soul is written by Alex Kendrick, directed by Alessandro Barros, and financed/distributed by AFFIRM Films. Following the success of their previous film, The Forge, opening at #1 in Brazil, AFFIRM saw the opportunity to partner with Brazilian filmmakers for this reimagining of the Flywheel story. While American faith-based films have previously found success in Brazil and other Central/South American countries, this marks the first North and South American partnership on a faith-based film of this scale with localized storytelling and filmmaking.

From Kevin Christenson, Head of Hope Studios

Executive Notes

I stood by the ice cream machine, waiting for it to freeze, when a student walked up and asked, “Can I pray for you?”

Having just wrapped filming 11 to 1 Billion in Romania (see previous newsletter), in the first week of March, I was invited to speak to the students of Andrews University in Michigan, USA. The topic was about using film for impact. For decades, there’s been an assumption that faith-driven values and artistic excellence had to be an

either-or choice when it came to film. Creatives felt left with two choices: Hollywood, where excellence is expected but values are often tested—or nonprofit ministry spaces, where values are protected but craft and reach can fall short. I was there to inspire the students for a third path that compromised on neither.

“Amen.” We lifted our heads, still standing in the middle of the university’s cafeteria, and the student asked what I was there to talk about. “No way! That’s what I’m studying to pursue!”

Today we are living at a time when series like House of David and movies like Daniel are proving large-scale excellence is achievable with values and quality.

If you are a creative seeking that third path, be encouraged. It can be done. It is being done. You can do it too. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” — Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

Send this to a creative you know who is seeking that third path of uncompromising excellence.